The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-03

What Captain Allen and Knights of Labor
Say About Robinson.

CONDEMNED FOR HIS TREACHERY.
What Captain Allen and knights of Labor
Say About Robinson.
From all indications, Robinson will have much
trouble in explaining his action to the Knights
of Labor. In casting his vote for Turpe he
squarely broke faith with them, and it is init
mated that they will demand an explanation for
his action. With hardly an exception, the Knights
of this city were opp osed to Turpie, and every
lodge had PASSED resolutions unfavorable to
him. The Labor Signal, as their organ, has
made an open fight against him, and assured its
readers all along that Robinson would never
giva him his support. Robinson himself has
repeatedly, and until the last days of the con-
test. pledged his word that he would obey their
instructions. The leading Knights were over
flowing with wrath yesterday afternoon and
last night.
Capt Jason H Allen said on Monday last:
''It is not possible for this compact or agree
nent by which l am supported for the United
States Senate to be broken without smirching
my character. That I will not consent to. al
though am willing to withdraw from the con-
test il it can be done without rejecting on or
my supporters. The Knights of Labor, by
whom l am indorsed, recognize this, and
during the contest l have received
letters, I's from MIR. Powderly and others
that would bring reproach upon myself
those who desire my election. I think Fred
Robinson is sincere, and it is only a few minutes
since that received assurances from him that
he will remain steadfast if it requires the full
term Of the General Assembly. We have gone
too far to break, and see no escape that will
not bring dshonor upon me and Robinson"
1t was yesterday afternoon that Captain Allen
n1$ hn1 TO
and with sorrow more than bitterness, referring
to Robinsons action, remarked: Il cannot say
that am surprised and yet am, to some de-
degree | do not, like to talk about the
under the imputation, by indirection, of this
treachery of Robinson. My candidacy was at
his suggestion. month before the General As
sembly met he proposed it and agreed to pur
the wishes of the. Greenback Labor
people. He was most profuse in his
promises of fealty. saying that he would main
tain the position to that end. | have been
and of the pressure the Democrats have
brought to bear on him. / called
his attention only Yesterday to his
close association with Sam Williams telling him
to avoid that man, as the connection was caus
inc scandal He gave me no reply But after
the action of the Knights of Labor, Sunday i.
urging us to maintain the compact TO the end.
without submitting to favor and without fear of
threats and after Robinsons assurances. up to
this morning, that he would remain faithful, i
can have but one opinion Of what he has done
AS surely as | am standing, had no other ex-
pectation than that the vote to-day would ire
main unchanged"
It is of interest to recall the fact that few
| days after the joint conventions first meeting
| Captain Allen had his letter of withdrawal
written, and that Robinson was among the
! most assiduous in appealing to him to remain in
| the Again, it is worth while to refer to
| the letters Robinson wrote to Williams directly
| after the election in November 1t is supposed
| that these letters suggest independent
didate for the United States Senate. This
would necessitate the detailment of plan and
| the results to follow. If these letters were
given to the public, it is said, they would explain
! the closeness of interest which Williams and
| Robinson both manifested in the voting for a
third candidate for the United States Senate
Robinson might have helped his beggarly plea
/ for the peoples charitable comment had he pro-
| duced these letters yesterday.
A Knight of Labor, who is willing to put his
/ name to this statement, If necessary. said: u
have been apprehensive as to Robinson for some
! time. | know he has been longing for some
thing to occur by which he could withdraw from
| the compact A Democratic Knight of Labor,
without authority from the legislative committee,
| the order, or any member thereof, but purely be
cause a friend of Turpie, took to him the
principles of the order and requested
hesitation. That was week ago, and Robin
son knew IT, Yet he came to me Tuesday and
asked to have committee wait on Turpie with
| the principles. The Knights would have opposed
any such action. Robinson wanted this done sc
he could violate a compact he himself originated
| 1t was only last Sunday that the Knights
passed resolutions urging the four independents
to be firm and not to waver in the
| least if the balloting should continue
throughout the whole session Robinson
accepted this request and assured US that be
would remain faithful 1t was longer thar
last night when he repeated these assurances
ito1 Ill ~ ~.
implicitly in him, could not help doubling his
sincerity. Why2 Because he has thrown him
self in the way of Democrats and Democratic
knights. His associations have been altogether
among them while he Stunned Republicans ani
Republican Knights He may think himself
rich man, but he will be universally condemned
'sWill he be expelled from the order?n
UNFORTUNATELY, we cannot reach him in tina
way. The candidacy of Captain Allen was
Greenback affair at first, but the Knights in
dorsed him. We might reach Robinson on
charge of conduct unbecoming knight, but w
will doubtless let official condemnation and hi
own conscience take care of him."
Have you seen him since noon?"
mo. nor do I want to. It was fight 70
principle that has been baseiy betrayed. TIL
order will not recognize Turpie's subscribing t
these principles as of any force. 1t will do hin
good for his So called majority was obtained
; through outrage and treacherv-outrage in th
unseating of Senator w n Mcdonald, who ha
600 majority, and treachery in the act of Robin
son. We Knights who are loyal TO the order
hope Turpie will be denied the seat in the Unite
States Senate"
1t is also understood that ten days ago Judg
Turpie sent letter to Robinson and Williams
explaining his position the silver question
t 1t is charged by the Democrats that this lette
!, was Entrusted to Franklin Landers, who did nc
. deliver it until Monday, when the Turpe me
$ compelled him to hand it o7er to Robinson,
that with the principles of the knights sgne
: by Turpie. and this letter on silver coinage, ii
Q recreant Greenbacker and Knight could repr
: sent or claim that he supporting man WI
t was in line with the wishes of the order.
: An Investigation Demanded.
= The talk regarding the influences that brougl
. about Robinson's change created general sci
+ fiment among members of the Legislature